Regarding Peacock tarantula (Gooty tarantula), consider the following statements:
I. It is an omnivorous crustacean.
II. Its natural habitat in India is only limited to some forest areas.
III. In its natural habitat, it is an arboreal species.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer:
(d)
Difficult
Newspaper/CA
CA
Statement I is not correct. The Peacock tarantula (Poecilotheria metallica), also known as the Gooty tarantula, is not a crustacean. It is a species of spider, which falls under the arachnid class. Additionally, it is a carnivorous species, primarily feeding on insects and small vertebrates—not omnivorous. Statement II is correct. The Gooty tarantula is endemic to India and is known only from a small forest area in Andhra Pradesh. Its distribution is highly restricted, making it critically endangered. Statement III is correct. It is an arboreal (tree-dwelling) species. In the wild, it inhabits holes in tall trees and builds asymmetric funnel webs.